Principal Advisor - Export Double

CGR Services

Wellington

On-site

NZD 142,000 - 166,000

Full time

12 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Career development opportunities

Job summary

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks a Principal Adviser to drive the Export Double programme, accelerating export growth in forestry and wood processing. You will coordinate cross‑agency work, shape strategy, and deliver high‑level advice to Ministers and senior leaders.

You will lead complex programmes, mentor colleagues, and build strong partnerships with industry and government. National security clearance is required at CONFIDENTIAL level.

Qualifications

Strong knowledge of government processes and public-sector environment.
Experience leading complex work programmes and coordinating stakeholders.
Strategic thinking with knowledge of forestry, wood processing, export growth, or related system.
Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate core elements clearly.
Excellent written and verbal communication, concise advice for Ministers and senior leaders.
Political and organisational awareness, ability to provide frank advice on sensitive issues.
Experience building collaborative relationships with industry and government agencies.
Ability to influence without formal authority and connect work across teams.

Responsibilities

Leading strategic thinking and developing the strategy and work programme for forestry and wood processing export growth.
Coordinating workstreams across MPI and Forestry System.
Developing and presenting high-quality advice to Ministers and MPI leaders.
Building effective partnerships with industry organisations and government agencies.
Bringing together economic, policy, innovation and sector perspectives to guide projects and governance.

Skills

Government processes

Programme leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Political awareness

Collaborative relationships

Influencing without authority

Mentoring others

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Principal Advisor - Export Double NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Wellington City, Wellington, NZ

Principal Adviser, Export Double Role type: Fixed term/Secondment until June 2027; Full-time Location: Wellington Salary range: General Salary Range B, $141,717 to $165,970 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service is seeking expressions of interest for the Principal Adviser, Export Double role within the Forestry System Directorate. This is a high-impact strategic role focused on accelerating export performance across the forestry and wood processing sector. Reporting to the Director Forestry System, you will coordinate and drive Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service's contribution to the Export Double Programme and help chart a pathway towards doubling export value by 2035. You will bring together activity across Forestry System, Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service and wider MPI, while developing strong partnerships with the forestry and wood processing sector. You will help shape and deliver a coordinated work programme across government and industry that supports sustained export growth and improved sector performance.

Leading strategic thinking and helping develop the strategy and work programme for forestry and wood processing export growth.
Coordinating workstreams across Forestry System, Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service and wider MPI.
Developing and presenting high-quality advice to Ministers, MPI leaders, government agencies and external stakeholders.
Building effective partnerships with industry organisations, businesses, government agencies and other sector participants.
Bringing together economic, policy, innovation and sector perspectives to guide projects, working groups and governance activity.
Preparing and reviewing Ministerial and Parliamentary material, Official Information Act responses, reports and correspondence.
Mentoring colleagues and helping strengthen policy capability and the quality of advice across the directorate.

This is an opportunity to shape a nationally significant programme, work directly with senior leaders and sector decision-makers, and influence the future growth and performance of New Zealand's forestry and wood processing sector.

Mōu - About You

We are looking for an experienced Principal Adviser, strategic policy professional, programme leader or senior sector adviser who can bring clarity, direction and momentum to a complex, cross-cutting programme. You will be a trusted adviser with strong strategic judgement and the ability to work confidently across organisational and sector boundaries. You will be comfortable bringing people together around shared outcomes, navigating sensitive or ambiguous issues, and providing clear, evidence-based advice to Ministers and senior leaders.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Strong knowledge of government processes and experience operating effectively in a public-sector environment.
Experience leading complex work programmes and bringing stakeholders together to achieve shared outcomes.
Strategic thinking and knowledge of forestry, wood processing, primary industries, export growth or a closely related system.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly identify and clearly communicate the core elements of a complex issue.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing concise and compelling advice.
Political and organisational awareness, with the confidence to provide frank and trusted advice on sensitive issues.
Proven experience building collaborative relationships with industry, government agencies and sector stakeholders.
The ability to influence without formal authority and connect work across teams, organisations and sectors.
An interest in mentoring others and helping strengthen policy and advisory capability.
A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience.

Programme or project management experience and an understanding of economic principles, innovation or trade and export growth would be advantageous.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Directorate

The Forestry System Directorate is part of Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service. It holds an end-to-end view of the forestry system and supports the development and implementation of initiatives, policies and regulations that underpin sustainable land management, improve the use of forestry resources and contribute to New Zealand's climate goals. The role reports to the Director Forestry System and works alongside managers, Principal Advisers and colleagues across the directorate, Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service and wider MPI. You will work across organisational boundaries to align priorities, connect work programmes and support the delivery of strategic outcomes.

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This role require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below. CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here. If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matu